Every parent knows the distress of caring for a sick child. Even the mildest ailments, like a cold, can feel overwhelming when it’s your little one who’s unwell. However, the situation intensifies significantly when a fever arises.
Managing fevers in young children can be perplexing. What temperature is considered a fever? How high is too high? Should you treat it with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or both? How frequently should medication be administered? And what steps should be taken if the fever doesn’t respond to treatment? While modern thermometers and healthcare professionals are often available to guide us through these questions, one alarming symptom related to fever caught me completely off guard: febrile seizures.
It was an ordinary day in our home. My two boys, ages three and eighteen months, were happily playing in the living room while I prepared our bags for a day out at the zoo. Just as we were about to leave, my youngest began to whimper and fuss. I assumed he was simply tired.
We paused our plans and picked him up to soothe him. Upon holding him, I noticed he felt a bit warm, so I checked his temperature. It registered around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After giving him some acetaminophen, I settled into the rocker with him, not thinking much of it.
As he started to drift off, I too felt the pull of sleep. Suddenly, he twitched, which startled me. I brushed it off, but soon, he twitched again—this time, more severely. I could feel his body stiffen in my arms. Looking at his face, I was horrified to see his eyes rolled back in his head, his back arched, and trembling—this was not a typical reaction.
“Something is wrong! Help!” I called out to my partner, Mark, who rushed in, panic evident on his face. I quickly informed him that I believed our son was experiencing a seizure. Handing him over to Mark, I dialed 911 while trying to comfort my older son, who was becoming anxious. “What’s wrong with the baby?” he asked, fear in his voice.
Mark reassured him, “It’s okay, buddy. Everything will be fine.” But I didn’t feel okay; my fear was mounting. The seizure felt like it lasted an eternity. The 911 operator calmly instructed me to lay my son on the floor away from potential dangers and to allow the seizure to occur without interference, advising against placing anything in his mouth. They told me to time the seizure duration, which is critical information for any caregiver.
The ordeal lasted only a few minutes, but it felt endless. Eventually, the seizure subsided, and my son lay limp. Although I felt relief knowing he was alive, I was still terrified. Would he return to his playful self? Would there be long-term effects? I had been aware that fevers in young children could be serious, but I had never anticipated this consequence.
When the paramedics arrived, my son was starting to regain consciousness but remained lethargic. Still shaken, I opted to ride in the ambulance to the pediatric hospital instead of driving myself. Upon arrival, the nurses checked his temperature—it was a concerning 104 degrees Fahrenheit. They quickly administered fluids and additional medication to help reduce his fever. They also ran tests for influenza and educated me about febrile seizures.
What Are Febrile Seizures?
Febrile seizures are convulsions triggered by a fever. At the time of my son’s incident, discussions were ongoing about whether the seizures were caused by high temperatures or rapid temperature increases. Statistically, one in twenty children experiences a febrile seizure, leading me to wonder why this information isn’t more widely shared among parents. Fortunately, most children outgrow these seizures by the age of five.
Now that my son is seven, he hasn’t experienced any seizures in recent years, even though he had them frequently during his early childhood fever episodes. Once we learned how to handle the situation, it became much less frightening.
What to Do If Your Child Has a Seizure
If your child has a seizure, remain calm. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends laying your child on a safe surface where they cannot fall and clearing the area of any hazards. Position them on their side to help maintain an open airway. Never put anything in their mouth, and time the duration of the seizure. Most febrile seizures last under three minutes; however, if it exceeds that time or your child does not regain consciousness, call 911 immediately. After the seizure, your child may be drowsy. Once they fully wake, consider giving medication to reduce fever, but consult your pediatrician first.
Febrile seizures, while alarming, are relatively common and usually harmless. Being informed about what to do can ease the experience for everyone involved. If your child is diagnosed with febrile seizures, ensure that all caregivers are aware of the appropriate response. For further insights on family health topics, including home insemination, you can explore resources like those found at Intracervical Insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, knowing what to expect and how to react during a febrile seizure can significantly alleviate fear and confusion. Awareness and education are essential for ensuring the health and safety of our children.